Bodega Garzon: 5 Reasons Why You’ll Drink Uruguay
Bodega Garzon: an introduction to Uruguay's impressive new winery and resort, with reviews and tasting notes
D’Oro Gelato Scoops #VIWF Vintners Brunch
D'Oro Gelato: A moment in the sun Vintners Brunch is a bit like that favourite item on a restaurant menu. It might feel a little bit dated. Maybe it needs a freshen up now and again. However, tweak it too much and you’ll be in trouble. What's more, for the lucky few (well, 450 or [...]
Mirabel Vineyards Debuts its Premium Pinot
Mirabel makes its mark A few months ago I was sitting in a corner by the cozy fireplace at Vancouver's Bacchus Lounge. I was there to meet Doug and Dawn Reimer. They were in town to preview their (inaugural) Mirabel Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015. In many ways the couple epitomize the new wave of Okanagan [...]
Tidal Bay Wines in 34 Seconds: Pete Luckett (video)
Tidal Bay wines have a special place in the heart of one Nova Scotian winemaker. Pete Luckett is the driving force behind Luckett Vineyards. He and his wife, Sue, established their Gaspereau Valley winery in 2010. I met him last week, during the Vancouver International Wine Festival. There was definitely a buzz around Nova Scotia [...]
Vancouver International Wine Festival: Why It’s The Most Important Yet
Wine Festival! As just about everyone in Vancouver knows, it’s that time of year when the whole city puts on its #winelover hat and heads down to the convention centre. This year, at the 30th #VIWF, however, things are a bit different. The theme region at Vancouver International Wine Festival—for the first time ever—is Canada. [...]
12 Bubbles that Won’t Break the Bank
'Tis the season … for Champagne, Cava, Sekt, Prosecco, Crémant and more. You name it—around this time of year, if it bubbles and pops we love to drink it. First, the good news about sparkling wine. Bubbles are no longer just for celebrations and glorified cork-popping. Sparkling wine has come of age as a food [...]
Keg vs. Bottle: Duking it out at Earls
I went to an intriguing wine tasting last week. It was a side by side blind comparison of identical wines. Only the packaging was different. One glass contained wine poured from a standard 750 ml. bottle and the other from a 9 litre poly bag and keg system. Keg and Bottled wine samples, poured [...]
Les Dames Wine: More Than Meets the Eye
Updated: September 7, 2019: Dames Brut 2017 This is the first Dames sparkler ... and, as it turns out, the last of the Les Dames wines, the successful fund raising project launched by Mireille Sauvé in 2015. Here’s her tasting note: “Fine bubbles introduce this Traditional Method Extra Brut sparkling wine. A bread-dough aroma allures with [...]
8 Must See Okanagan View Wineries
A View Kissed List There's only one problem with making a short list of view wineries in the Okanagan. In a valley of superlative panoramas, you’re guaranteed to upset somebody. So many rate, it’s impossible to do them all justice. With that disclaimer, here’s a quick look at what’s new and in the wings. Where to go and [...]
Meet Juliane Eller: the new face of German wine
When she came back from her studies at Geisenheim (then 23), Juliane Eller suggested to her parents it was time to do things her way ...